LeadingAge Wisconsin is partnering with the Wisconsin Health Care Association (WHCA), on a newly awarded $6 million workforce development program, “WisCaregiver Careers.” The program is designed to address the certified nursing assistant shortage in Wisconsin nursing homes, and help to support the state’s health needs today and in the future by providing free training and free certification testing. The expanded program is expected to fill as many as 3,000 new nurse aide training slots in Wisconsin.

Funding for the program was provided to Wisconsin’s Division of Quality Assurance and Division of Medicaid Services, through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Nursing Home & Long-Term Care Facility Strike Team program. Qualified candidates will receive a $500 retention bonus, after six months of employment as a nurse aide. Employee recruitment will primarily occur at nursing homes, or through FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) agencies, a free program that helps Wisconsin FoodShare members build their job skills and find jobs. FSET is also tasked with conducting the initial screenings and supporting the recipients while they’re in the program.

To date, more than 181 employers have registered to participate in the program. Employers will receive $700 per student, based on a risk-share agreement. They will receive a “success bonus” if the employer can train the students for less. WisCaregiver Careers program has partnered with the University Wisconsin Oshkosh to maintain the programs administrative data and conduct the formal evaluation.

Originally launched in 2018, after receiving federal approval to invest $2.3 million Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funding in the program. The grant has already engaged more than 300 of Wisconsin’s 385 nursing homes in efforts to expand the healthcare workforce.